This Cluster showcases EU-funded research and innovation projects dedicated to developing sustainable, circular packaging solutions using bio-based, biodegradable, and recyclable materials. These initiatives combine advanced material design, safe-by-design principles, and industrial scalability to replace fossil-derived plastics with high-performance alternatives that meet functional, environmental and market requirements.

The projects in this cluster, listed below, are supported under Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation programme, notably through calls such as HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-35 and HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-TWO-STAGE, which are aimed at biodegradable polymers and resilient packaging materials.

Together, these projects highlight Europe’s commitment to accelerating the transition to circular, high-performance bioplastic packaging solutions, fostering collaboration across material science, industrial processes and end-of-life systems.

Events organised by the cluster and the clustered projects

• 24 February 2026 Touchbase with E-OilE’ (Registration)
• 27 January 2026 Touchbase with UPCYCLE  (Registration)
• 1 December 2025,  Bioplastic Packaging Design: Safe, Sustainable and Recyclable, pre-event to the EBC 2025 conference
• 25 November 2025 Touchbase with BioPackMan (Resources)
• 23 September 2025 Touchbase with GRECO (Resources)
• 22 July 2025 Touchbase with Be-UP (Resources)

Clustered projects

GRECO develops innovative bio-based, biodegradable, and recyclable food packaging using novel PLA copolymers, functional coatings, and additives, designed with safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) strategies to improve circularity and end-of-life performance (Grant Agreement No.  101177661).

Be-UP focuses on boosting industrial uptake of biodegradable polymers for packaging, developing advanced biopolyesters with higher renewable content and improved biodegradability, and delivering industrially validated packaging prototypes. This Horizon Europe project uses digital modelling and processing innovations to help bridge the gap between materials development and industrial deployment (Grant Agreement No. 101178689).

E-OilÉ targets sustainable biodegradable monodose packaging for oily products, combining biopolyesters and polysaccharides to meet stringent barrier and performance requirements while applying safe-and-sustainable-by-design principles (Grant agreement No. 101177771).

UPCYCLE aims to create circular value chains from mixed plastic waste to biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials, leveraging SSbD frameworks and advanced biorefinery processes to enhance performance and economic feasibility (Grant Agreement No. 101178389).

BioPackMan (Biodegradable Packaging Materials Advancing Circularity, Sustainability & Eco-Innovation) unites multidisciplinary partners to design next-generation biodegradable polymer materials for rigid and flexible packaging with tailored properties and full lifecycle sustainability (Grant agreement No. 101178576)